Peru claimed its position as host of the most important multi-sports event of the Americas with the victory of surfer Itzel Delgado, who won bronze in an exhausting final in Stand-Up Paddle.  

“It’s an honor. I’m very happy because now I’m giving the first steps for the rest of the team to win more medals. This one won’t be the first or the last one in surfing, so let’s go Peru,” said Delgado at the end of the event.  

With this achievement, a historic milestone for the Peruvian delegation has been marked, as this is the first medal obtained in this competitive sport at the Pan American Games.  

The successful participation of the Peruvian surfer was accompanied by the unconditional support of Peruvian fans, who cheered on Delgado during every second of his performance in the waters of the Punta Rocas beach. 

At the end of this competition, American surfer Connor Baxter won the gold medal, and Vinnicius Martins claimed the silver medal for Brazil.  

Alongside the audience cheers, the Peruvian athlete won the bronze medal that places Peru as one of the best teams in the Americas. It is important to mention that, with this result, the Peruvian delegation has now 13 medals in the most important multi-sports event of the Americas.

Photo gallery (click here)

The best fans in the world were the focus during the second match of the Peruvian football team at the stadium of the National University of San Marcos. More than 15,000 spectators encouraged the Peruvian football team during the second day of men’s football competition. Even tough Peru drew 2-2 with Honduras, the team has a chance to advance to the men's football semifinals. 

The team, coached by Nolberto Solano, was winning 2-0 but could not maintain this result. However, the chances of qualifying to the semifinals have not faded. Peru will face Jamaica on Sunday, July 4, at 20:30 and will seek its first victory and the qualification. The fans’ attendance will be crucial to cheer on the Peruvian team to achieve this goal. 

After the second day of the competition, Honduras ranked second with four points. However, the Peruvian team's advantage is knowing the Honduras’ result before the match on Sunday.  The Peruvian football team would have the possibility of qualifying to semifinals if it wins by a good goal difference and Honduras loses against Argentina. This will be hard but not impossible. 

The Pan American Games matches are governed by the FIFA rules. During the first stage, three points are awarded per victory and one point per tie. The top two teams of each group advance to the semifinals. Ties will be settled with 30 minutes extra-times and if scores are still tied, a penalty shootout will be played.

The Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), Edgar Manuel Vásquez Vela, congratulated the success of Culturaymi, the cultural program of the Pan American and Parapan American Games. He also highlighted the hard work of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee.  

“Activities like these allow athletes and all the Peruvian and foreign tourists who visit Peru for the Pan American and Parapan American Games to learn about culture, craft from all regions of Peru, and the richness of our production,” he stated.  

He also mentioned that families can enjoy a wide variety of cultural activities such as concerts, gastronomy, workshops, theater and exhibitions. In addition, he said that Culturaymi enriches tourism in Peru. He highlighted that entrance is free and invited everybody to enjoy a wonderful family day at Culturaymi and continue supporting Peruvian and international athletes. 

ABOUT CULTURAYMI 

Culturaymi is the cultural program organized alongside the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games sports competitions. It offers a circuit and a cultural venue that will show the best of Peru’s richness.  

The venue is located at Parque de la Exposición and the entrance is free for everyone. The first stage of Culturaymi will be until August 10 and the second stage, during the Parapan American Games, will be held from August 24 to 31. It has two stages, an exhibition and workshop area, a food fair, a giant screen and a ticket booth for sports competitions, thus offering the visitor a comprehensive experience.

Since their competitions started, four days ago, tennis players have experienced a smooth daily transfer from the Pan American Village, in Villa El Salvador, to Lawn Tennis Club. In fact, athletes reported being very satisfied with the amenities provided by the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee. 

Juan Pablo Varillas, a top Peruvian tennis player (semifinalist in men’s doubles with Sergio Galdós and quarterfinalist in singles), says he has received good commentaries from fellow athletes about the development of the Pan American Games so far. 

“I feel really comfortable with all the facilities provided by the organizing committee: the service at the Village, the quality of food and the foresight to get to competitions on time. We are proving, as a country, that we are capable of organizing world-class events, setting a precedent on how to successfully host the Pan American Games,” said Varillas. 

Similarly, Ecuadorian Robert Quiroz noted: “We have been pleasantly treated by Peruvians from the moment we arrived at the Village. Service is top-class and we have experienced no delays in transportation. We are truly enjoying our participation in these Games,” said the Guadalajara 2011 silver medalist. 

On the other hand, Noelia Zeballos from Bolivia, semifinalist in mixed doubles event at Lima 2019 declares to be enjoying the Games. “I have arrived on time to all my competitions”, stated the Bolivian athlete. 

TENNIS AT LIMA 2019 

Tennis competitions will be held at the stadium of the Lawn Tennis Club until August 4. Athletes will compete in singles and doubles (men’s and women’s), as well as in mixed doubles. A total of 80 tennis players from 16 countries, both men and women, will participate in the Games, competing in knockout round stages. Click here to learn more about each match results and last dates.  

There will be six stages in men’s singles, starting with a round of 64, and five stages in both women’s singles and men's doubles, starting with a round of 32. Meanwhile, athletes will start competing in a round of 16 in women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Culturaymi, the Pan American and Parapan American Games cultural event, continues this Friday with activities for children and adults, and the entrance is free.

In addition to the renowned artists they can see in this cultural event, visitors to the Parque de la Exposición, in Cercado de Lima, will learn how to make a Milco mask in the MET zone. This workshop will be in charge of the Museo Amano experts, starting at 15:00.

In the MALI zone, a jewelry and knitting workshop will take place starting at 11:00 and it will be in charge of the Asociación de Exportadores (ADEX). Meanwhile, two theater shows called “Nave” will be presented in the Jugamos Todos zone at 20:00 and 21:00.

This interactive staging will allow spectators to listen, speak, walk, play and share, which creates an atmosphere full of empathy and collaboration. Besides, it will allow them to travel to their inner world and address intimate family relationships.

The Cajon National Day deserves a special celebration in Culturaymi. A wide artist program is included in the 12th “Rafael Santa Cruz” International Cajon and Percussion Festival, which continues until Sunday with great participants such as Tony Succar. In addition, there will be a great cajon performance by many percussionists, including the cajon ensemble that amazed in the Pan American Games Opening Ceremony.

Milco, the Pan American Games official mascot, will also be part of the event and will teach us the basics to dominate the instrument. He has even recorded a video tutorial!

It is worth mentioning that the Lima 2019 Cultural Program was created to share and celebrate Peru's creative and cultural richness. This program consists of a venue and a cultural circuit in ten districts of the capital of Peru.

The program will take place between 11:00 and 23:00, and the concerts will be extended until 01:00.

Do not forget to visit the Parque de la Exposición until August 10 and from August 24 to 31. Free admission

The “blanquirroja” will do their best in handball. The Peruvian men’s handball team will take the field to face their Mexican counterpart at the National Sports Village (VIDENA), in this discipline's third day of competition at Lima 2019. 

The match will start at 15:30, after the match between United States and Chile (13:00). Then, Argentina will face Cuba at 18:00. The last match of the day (Friday, August 2) will be between Brazil and Puerto Rico (20:30). 

On August 2, many competitions will enter decisive or medal-definition stages. This is the case of diving where athletes will compete at the VIDENA as of 10:00 to earn Pan American medals in men’s and women’s categories. 

Surfing will also have their women’s and men’s finals at the Punta Rocas Sports Center. Athletes will compete in stand up paddle (SUP) starting at 09:00. Tomorrow, Peruvian athlete Melanie Giunta will compete in the fourth repechage heat in women’s open. 

Meanwhile, at 11:30, shooting will have its men’s finals in air rifle and women’s finals in skeet at the Las Palmas Air Base Shooting Range. 

BOXING NIGHT 

On the other hand, the ring of Miguel Grau Coliseum at Regional Sports Village in Callao will be the stage of a night full of jabs and uppercuts in boxing. As of 19:00, gold medal finals will be held in the men’s flyweight (46-49 kg), bantamweight (56 kg), welterweight (64 kg), and middleweight (75 kg) categories. In addition, the heavyweight match between Cuban Erislandy Savón Cotilla and Ecuadorian Julio César Castillo Gómez will also take place. 

In the women’s category, athletes will compete for the gold in flyweight (48-51 kg), lightweight (57-60 kg), and middleweight (69-75 kg). 

Meanwhile, the men’s basketball 5x5 matches of group B will start at 10:30 at the Eduardo Dibós Coliseum in San Borja, with a match between Uruguay and Dominican Republic. At 13:30, Mexico and Argentina will face each other. And at 18:30, Virgin Islands will compete against Venezuela for group A, and then Puerto Rico against United States for group B, which is the last match of the tournament’s preliminary rounds.  

MORE DISCIPLINES TO COMPETE 

From 10:05, the baseball stadium of the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center will be the stage of intense matches, which will determine the countries that will have a chance to pick up medals.  Moreover, the Río Cañete in Lunahuaná will debut as the venue of men’s and women’s canoe slalom. 

Track cycling competitions will take place at the velodrome of the VIDENA as of 11:05. The Army Equestrian School, in La Molina, will host the individual and team equestrian events. Rhythmic gymnastics will have the individual qualification competitions in hoop and ball at the Villa El Salvador Sports Center.  

As for tennis, starting at 11:00, the quarterfinals of men’s and women's singles will take place at the Lawn Tennis Club, as well as the semifinals for men’s and women’s doubles. 

Finally, the men’s preliminary rounds of volleyball will begin at 12:30 at the Callao Sports Center, with the participation of the Peruvian national team.

The Club Lawn Tennis de la Exposición was the stage of the tennis competitions. Juan Pablo Varillas won two times in a row and now he will compete for the gold. He booked a place in the singles quarterfinals and then got into the men’s doubles semifinals, along with Sergio Galdós. 

Fans cheered on them from the grandstands of the main stadium at all times. This helped Varillas and Galdós beat their Brazilian opponents after a bad start. Tomorrow, they will face Facundo Banis and Guido Andreozzi from Argentina. Additionally, Varillas will compete against Marcelo Barrios from Chile in singles. 

“Fans were really excited for the matches. They cheered on us in every set and encouraged us when we nearly fell. That helped us bounce back in the second doubles set. We were playing as locals. I’m really happy with these two victories, and I trust Sergio (Galdós) and I can win the next match. We’ll play with no expectations. We’ll see how the game goes on the field,” he added. 

Meanwhile, the doubles player Sergio Galdós said they work well together. “All doubles pairs have worked hard to make it to this stage. We’re playing against the best doubles players, so we’ll give our best to get a medal for our sport,” he said. 

Moreover, the Peruvian coach Américo “Tupi” Venero mentioned he wanted to share with them the experience of playing with a positive environment. “None of these kids has ever played at a packed stadium and tomorrow we’ll have more spectators at the Lawn Tennis. It’s important that they are not only physically but also mentally strong. We’re leveling up. So, the people’s support makes me feel relieved. 

TENNIS AT LIMA 2019 

Tennis competitions will be held at the stadium of the Lawn Tennis Club, until August 4. This game is played in singles and doubles, in men’s and women’s category, and in mixed doubles. A total of 80 tennis players, both male and female, from 16 countries will participate in the Games, competing in a knock-out format. 

There will be six stages in men’s singles, starting with a round of 64, and five stages in both women’s singles and men's doubles, starting with a round of 32. Meanwhile, athletes will start competing in a round of 16 in women’s doubles and mixed doubles. 

Photo Gallery (click here)

Lima 2019 opened a new stage that was remodeled to be up to the best cyclists in the Americas. The velodrome of the VIDENA opened its doors to welcome more than 2000 people in its grandstands, who enjoyed the competition among the best teams in the Americas. 

Entire families and foreign visitors were placed in strategic positions to see the competition of the Peruvian Alonso Gamero. He thrilled everyone when he took the lead in the Omnium event, leaving behind the Chilean Felipe Peñaloza, the Mexican Ignacio Prado, and the American Daniel “Hollywood” Holloway, who took the title in 2017. 

The conditions of the remodeled stage also allowed the Peruvian Estephany Valdivia to set a new national record in 250 m with a time of 22.308. The fans burst into cheers right after the announcement of this record and recognized the effort of the Peruvian cyclists, who now have the best conditions to train and compete internationally. 

The velodrome has a track of 250 meters. The track is made of African wood and, thanks to the remodeling, it now has a ceiling that turns it into an indoor stage. 

It has a capacity of 2300 spectators, with comfortable seats. The width of the track is seven meters. It has cambers (elevation in the curves), with a 42-degree angle. The velodrome has changing rooms and showers, a common area for athletes, a judges' area, as well as first aid stations for athletes and spectators. 

Marko Carrillo’s hard work was worth it. This afternoon, he reached the podium at Lima 2019 with a bronze medal, which was celebrated by the audience at Las Palmas Shooting Range. He finished fourth in 10 m air pistol. And two days later, he took revenge by placing third in 25 m rapid fire pistol.

Carrillo also successfully qualified for Tokyo 2020, despite not reaching either the first or second place that would have granted him direct qualification. Cuba claimed the gold and silver medal thanks to Jorge Álvarez and Leuris Pupo, respectively. However, the island representatives had already secured a quota place each.

This way, Marko Carrillo is the sixth Peruvian athlete to qualify for the Olympic Games next year, after the marathon runner Christian Pacheco, the race walkers Mary Luz Andia and Kimberly García, the shooter Alessandro de Souza, the cyclist Royner Navarro, and the sailor Stefano Peschiera. With Carrillo’s victory, Peru has the same number of medals it obtained at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games.

The boom of Peruvian cuisine continues to captivate the world. An example of this takes place at the Pan American Village, where over 4000 athletes enjoy the best of Peruvian food in the huge dining hall of this venue. 

One of the most popular foods is quinoa, a millenary cereal that has conquered the world and is now the enjoyment of athletes who consume it because of its nutritional properties. 

The huge dining hall covers the length of one and a half football pitch, where 700,000 meals are expected to be served until the end of the Games. Giorgio Mautino, mayor of the Pan American Village, said that athletes are very happy with the food provided at the dining hall, which is open 22 hours a day. 

Athletes can pick the food of their choice, as it is a buffet service. They can choose among many options: Peruvian food, meat, carbohydrates, salads and fruits, and they can repeat as many times as they like.  

Giorgio Mautino, who is also former national athletics team member, explained that food choices varies depending on the sport where athletes compete. “Some want to stay at their current weight, so they can pick mostly vegetables. Others choose carbohydrates and many others do not eat meat before competitions as it may be harder to digest,” he said. 

Mautino also highlighted how Peruvian food keeps on delighting palates around the world, something evidenced by the positive feedback and compliments received from delegations who stay at the Village. “Lomo Saltado is one of the most popular dishes requested by athletes. They all feel happy and at home, and that is the idea. Here in the dining hall, they can choose what they want and repeat as many times as they like,” he explains. 

On the other hand, Aldo Cardini, head chef of Sodexo, company responsible for the catering service provided to athletes, said that 600 people are working at the Pan American Village dining hall. The chef mentioned some fun facts. For example, the amount of mozzarella cheese to be consumed at the Pan American Games equals the weight of four Volkswagen Beetles.  

The amount of spaghetti could cover the distance between Lima and Machu Picchu. One million liters of beverages will be served at the Village, which equals four Olympic pool lanes. All meals are served using biodegradable dishes and cutlery for the benefit of the environment. 

Cardini revealed some of the athletes’ favorites. “They love quinoa, a product that has really caught the attention and appetite of athletes. They are aware of its millenary properties, and this is why they choose it,” he said. He also mentioned that during the Games opening ceremony, they served ceviche, one of our typical dishes, and many first triers loved it. 

Cardini explained that, so far, 100,000 meals have been served during the Games. 

Meanwhile, Micaela Vásquez, Lima 2019 catering manager at the Village, said that athletes are free to eat at any moment and according to their specific needs. She reveals that nutritionists are also taking care of athletes’ diet.  

Sunday, August 4 will be a key day for the catering and accommodation services at the Village, as it will receive almost 5000 athletes from across the continent. They also receive advice or requests from nutritionists of the different delegations to ensure athletes are eating the right foods.  

Today, for example, 3200 people registered for breakfast. Also, an average of 600 kg of bananas are consumed every day. Athletes can also eat desserts. Among the most popular are tiramisu, gelatin and flan. There is no doubt that athletes are enjoying their stay at the Village and our world-renowned gastronomy.